“My gootness, I vas glad of dot.  If I vas to leaf my bisness I vould be ruined.  Dot’s all right, dough.  Let’s go und take a glass of peer.”

At this juncture, the shrill whistle of the approaching train was heard, and this fact enabled the detective to decline the proffered beverage.  After a hearty hand-shake from the nervous little clothier, Manning sprang upon the train and in a few moments later he was on his way to Miles City.

CHAPTER XIX.

From Bismarck to Bozeman—­The Trail Growing Warmer—­Duncan Buys a Pony—­A Long Stage Ride.

The distance from Bismarck to Miles City is about three hundred miles, and as Manning left the former place early in the evening, he secured a couch in the comfortable sleeping car, and shortly afterward retired to rest.  It seemed almost incredible the giant strides which had been made in a few years in the process of civilization in our western country.  But yesterday the ground which our operative was now traveling in comfort, was overrun by the Indian and the wild beasts of the forest, and to-day along his entire route were rising up substantial towns and villages, bringing in their wake the enlightening influences of education and morality.  The railroad, that mighty agent of civilization, is rapidly forging a chain of communication between the two great oceans, and travel in the western wilds, formerly fraught with hardships and dangers unspeakable, is now performed with rapidity, comfort and safety.  In the morning the train stopped at Little Missouri, where the passengers were refreshed with breakfast, then on again past Sentinel Butte, they left the boundaries of Dakota and entered the great territory of Montana.  On again like the rush of the wind, until about five o’clock in the afternoon, they arrived at Miles City, where the train was to remain nearly two hours, before continuing their journey.

Miles City was another striking illustration of the wonderful growth of American towns.  Less than a year ago, a barren waste marked the spot where now was growing a thriving city.  The railroad, as in other localities, had played an important part in awakening this uninhabited region to life and activity.  The trackless, boundless prairie had been reclaimed, and was now a flourishing city, full of bustle and vigor.  Making his way to a neat and comfortable hotel, which bore the rather euphonious title of St. Cloud, Manning partook of a substantial meal and then set about his investigations.  He soon found news of the object of his inquiries.  From the proprietor of the St. Cloud, he learned that Duncan had remained here two days, and upon the register he saw the now well-known signature of Tom Moore of Chicago.  He had informed the inn-keeper of his intention of going to Bozeman, a town lying to the north of the Crow Reservation.

Manning resolved, therefore, to press right on, and he returned to the railroad station, where the train was still waiting.  Purchasing a ticket for Billings, he started again on his way, and at nearly midnight he arrived at his destination, where he secured quarters for the night.